Darrick Minner
Division: Featherweight
Result: Grant Dawson def. [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag] via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:38
Record: (24-11 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Grade: C-
He may not have picked up the win, but Darrick Minner’s UFC debut on just 11 days’ notice showed that his grappling chops warrant respect.
Despite being told by opponent Grant Dawson that he didn’t belong in the UFC, Minner came out looking to prove a point, and put his trash-talking opponent under pressure for long spells in the first round as he relentlessly pursued an early submission.
Minner started fast and immediately chopped Dawson’s legs hard with a leg kick, before going for a quickfire guillotine choke, then an armbar, as he looked to surprise Dawson early. Minner then looked for another guillotine as he locked up a tight choke, but Dawson positioned himself in side control to alleviate the pressure and end up on top, before finishing the round strongly
Minner locked up a standing guillotine early in Round 2 and went to his back once again in search of the finish, but when Dawson popped his head out, Minner was left trapped on the mat. And when Dawson transitioned to Minner’s back and locked up a rear-naked choke, the tap came quickly as Minner fell to an early-round submission in the second stanza.
If there was one criticism of Minner, it was his over-eagerness to go for the guillotine, a move that, unless you finish the fight, can often leave you in a disadvantageous position. But his positive approach, coming in at such short notice against a man who missed weight, deserves credit.
Hopefully he’ll get a full camp for his next fight and he’ll get another chance to showcase the skills that have taken him to 21 submissions from his 24 career wins.